Patrik Elias has been scorching lately to turn the Devils into a dangerous offensive team.

With no date set for rugged defenseman Scott Stevens' return from a concussion, the New Jersey Devils won't be at their stifling best down the stretch and perhaps into the playoffs. Good thing for them, Patrik Elias has been scorching lately to turn the Devils into a dangerous offensive team.

Elias scored twice Thursday night to help the Devils defeat Chicago 6-4. Although Elias has 13 goals in his past 12 games to give him 33 on the season, scoring wasn't as satisfying because the Devils (36-21-11-2) barely hung on to knock off the worst team in the Western Conference.

APPatrik Elias has helped the Devils outscore opponents.

"I love to score," Elias told the New York Daily News. "But we've also got to do the job defensively. I just want this team to get more on the same page and start feeling good about our game, no matter if we win or lose."